Outside the Safe Operating Space of the Planetary Boundary for Novel Entities

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 56(3), С. 1510 - 1521

Опубликована: Янв. 18, 2022

We submit that the safe operating space of planetary boundary novel entities is exceeded since annual production and releases are increasing at a pace outstrips global capacity for assessment monitoring. The in boundaries framework refers to geological sense could have large-scale impacts threaten integrity Earth system processes. review scientific literature relevant quantifying highlight plastic pollution as particular aspect high concern. An impact pathway from on processes presented. define apply three criteria suitability control variables boundary: feasibility, relevance, comprehensiveness. propose several complementary capture complexity this boundary, while acknowledging major data limitations. conclude humanity currently outside based weight-of-evidence these variables. rate larger volumes higher numbers with diverse risk potentials exceed societies' ability conduct safety related assessments recommend taking urgent action reduce harm associated exceeding by reducing entities, noting even so, persistence many and/or their effects will continue pose threat.

Язык: Английский

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment

Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 375(6580)

Опубликована: Фев. 3, 2022

Over the past several years, term PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has grown to be emblematic of environmental contamination, garnering public, scientific, regulatory concern. are synthesized by two processes, direct fluorination (e.g., electrochemical fluorination) oligomerization fluorotelomerization). More than a megatonne is produced yearly, thousands wind up in end-use products. Atmospheric aqueous fugitive releases during manufacturing, use, disposal have resulted global distribution these compounds. Volatile facilitate long-range transport, commonly followed complex transformation schemes recalcitrant terminal PFAS, which do not degrade under conditions thus migrate through environment accumulate biota multiple pathways. Efforts remediate PFAS-contaminated matrices still their infancy, with much current research targeting drinking water.

Язык: Английский

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The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 89(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Язык: Английский

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Emerging environmental contaminants: A global perspective on policies and regulations

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 332, С. 117344 - 117344

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective

The Innovation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 5(4), С. 100612 - 100612

Опубликована: Март 13, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air

Nature, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 600(7889), С. 456 - 461

Опубликована: Дек. 15, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Anthropogenic Chemicals As Underestimated Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Scientific and Societal Implications

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 56(2), С. 707 - 710

Опубликована: Янв. 2, 2022

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVViewpointNEXTAnthropogenic Chemicals As Underestimated Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Scientific and Societal ImplicationsKsenia Groh*Ksenia GrohEawag, Swiss Federal Institute Aquatic Science Technology, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland*Email: [email protected]More by Ksenia GrohView Biographyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3778-4721, Colette vom BergColette BergEawag, SwitzerlandMore Berghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8870-9799, Kristin SchirmerKristin SchirmerEawag, Schirmerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1116-4724, Ahmed TliliAhmed TliliEawag, Tlilihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1645-0711Cite this: Environ. Sci. Technol. 2022, 56, 2, 707–710Publication Date (Web):January 2022Publication History Received8 December 2021Published online2 January 2022Published inissue 18 2022https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c08399https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c08399article-commentaryACS PublicationsCopyright © 2022 American Chemical Society. This publication is available under these Terms Use. Request reuse permissions free to access through this site. Learn MoreArticle Views11427Altmetric-Citations22LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF HTML) across all institutions individuals. These metrics regularly updated reflect usage leading up last few days.Citations number other articles citing article, calculated Crossref daily. Find more information about citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score a quantitative measure attention that research has received online. Clicking on donut icon will load page at altmetric.com with additional details score social media presence for given article. how calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation abstractCitation referencesMore Options onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail (2 MB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:Climate change,Environmental pollution,Food,Heavy metals,Pest control e-Alerts

Язык: Английский

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One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

Environmental Sciences Europe, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 34(1)

Опубликована: Март 8, 2022

The chemical pollution crisis severely threatens human and environmental health globally. To tackle this challenge the establishment of an overarching international science-policy body has recently been suggested. We strongly support initiative based on awareness that humanity already likely left safe operating space within planetary boundaries for novel entities including pollution. Immediate action is essential needs to be informed by sound scientific knowledge data compiled critically evaluated interface body. Major challenges such a are (i) foster global production exposure, impacts governance going beyond data-rich regions (e.g., Europe North America), (ii) cover entirety hazardous chemicals, mixtures wastes, (iii) follow one-health perspective considering risks posed chemicals waste ecosystem health, (iv) strive solution-oriented assessments systems thinking. Based multiple evidence urgent scale, we call scientists practitioners mobilize their networks intensify interaction with national governments negotiations intergovernmental explaining anticipated benefit health.

Язык: Английский

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A Children’s Health Perspective on Nano- and Microplastics

Environmental Health Perspectives, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 130(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2022

Pregnancy, infancy, and childhood are sensitive windows for environmental exposures. Yet the health effects of exposure to nano- microplastics (NMPs) remain largely uninvestigated or unknown. Although plastic chemicals a well-established research topic, impacts particles unexplored, especially with regard early life exposures.This commentary aims summarize knowns unknowns around child- pregnancy-relevant exposures NMPs via inhalation, placental transfer, ingestion breastmilk, dermal absorption.A comprehensive literature search map state science on found 37 primary articles relevance during revealed major knowledge gaps in field. We discuss opportunities challenges quantifying child-specific (e.g., breastmilk infant formula) effects, light global inequalities baby bottle use, consumption packaged foods, air pollution, hazardous disposal, regulatory safeguards. also needs linking child NMP address context public action.Few studies have addressed sources exposure, estimates currently rely generic assumptions rather than empirical measurements. Furthermore, toxicological has not specifically focused health, yet children's immature defense mechanisms make them particularly vulnerable. Apart from few investigating transfer NMPs, physicochemical properties polymer, size, shape, charge) driving absorption, biodistribution, elimination be benchmarked. Accordingly, evidence base regarding potential remains sparse. Based date, we provide recommendations fill gaps, stimulate policymakers industry safety point families reduce plastic. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9086.

Язык: Английский

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Thawing permafrost poses environmental threat to thousands of sites with legacy industrial contamination

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Март 28, 2023

Industrial contaminants accumulated in Arctic permafrost regions have been largely neglected existing climate impact analyses. Here we identify about 4500 industrial sites where potentially hazardous substances are actively handled or stored the permafrost-dominated of Arctic. Furthermore, estimate that between 13,000 and 20,000 contaminated related to these sites. Ongoing warming will increase risk contamination mobilization toxic since 1100 3500 5200 located stable start thaw before end this century. This poses a serious environmental threat, which is exacerbated by change near future. To avoid future hazards, reliable long-term planning strategies for needed take into account impacts cimate change.

Язык: Английский

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